Slow computer, hard drive always running in high gear

Lets try looking from a different angle!

GMER Rootkit Scanner
Download GMER Rootkit Scanner from here.

• Double click the .exe file. If asked to allow gmer.sys driver to load, please consent
• If it gives you a warning about rootkit activity and asks if you want to run scan...click on NO
  
  
  Click the image to enlarge it
  
• In the right panel, you will see several boxes that have been checked. Uncheck the following ...
  • Sections
  • IAT/EAT
  • Drives/Partition other than Systemdrive (typically C:\)
  • Show All (don't miss this one)
• Then click the Scan button & wait for it to finish
• Once done click on the [Save..] button, and in the File name area, type in "Gmer.txt" or it will save as a .log file
• Save it where you can easily find it, such as your desktop, and post it in reply

**Caution**
Rootkit scans often produce false positives. Do NOT take any action on any "<--- ROOKIT" entries

I completely admire your tenacity! Thanks for seeing this through.
Here is the GMER log

GMER 1.0.15.15125 - http://www.gmer.net
Rootkit scan 2009-10-13 19:27:04
Windows 5.1.2600 Service Pack 3
Running: v9jyd101.exe; Driver: C:\DOCUME~1\Owner\LOCALS~1\Temp\fwtciaog.sys


---- System - GMER 1.0.15 ----

SSDT \SystemRoot\System32\Drivers\aswSP.SYS (avast! self protection module/ALWIL Software) ZwClose [0xF43036B8]
SSDT \SystemRoot\System32\vsdatant.sys (TrueVector Device Driver/Check Point Software Technologies LTD) ZwConnectPort [0xF44E8FC0]
SSDT \SystemRoot\System32\vsdatant.sys (TrueVector Device Driver/Check Point Software Technologies LTD) ZwCreateFile [0xF44E5C80]
SSDT \SystemRoot\System32\Drivers\aswSP.SYS (avast! self protection module/ALWIL Software) ZwCreateKey [0xF4303574]
SSDT \SystemRoot\System32\vsdatant.sys (TrueVector Device Driver/Check Point Software Technologies LTD) ZwCreatePort [0xF44E9580]
SSDT \SystemRoot\System32\vsdatant.sys (TrueVector Device Driver/Check Point Software Technologies LTD) ZwCreateProcess [0xF44FD900]
SSDT \SystemRoot\System32\vsdatant.sys (TrueVector Device Driver/Check Point Software Technologies LTD) ZwCreateProcessEx [0xF44FDB10]
SSDT \SystemRoot\System32\vsdatant.sys (TrueVector Device Driver/Check Point Software Technologies LTD) ZwCreateSection [0xF4501B10]
SSDT \SystemRoot\System32\vsdatant.sys (TrueVector Device Driver/Check Point Software Technologies LTD) ZwCreateWaitablePort [0xF44E9670]
SSDT \SystemRoot\System32\vsdatant.sys (TrueVector Device Driver/Check Point Software Technologies LTD) ZwDeleteFile [0xF44E6210]
SSDT \SystemRoot\System32\vsdatant.sys (TrueVector Device Driver/Check Point Software Technologies LTD) ZwDeleteKey [0xF45009F0]
SSDT \SystemRoot\System32\Drivers\aswSP.SYS (avast! self protection module/ALWIL Software) ZwDeleteValueKey [0xF4303A52]
SSDT \SystemRoot\System32\vsdatant.sys (TrueVector Device Driver/Check Point Software Technologies LTD) ZwDuplicateObject [0xF44FD280]
SSDT \SystemRoot\System32\vsdatant.sys (TrueVector Device Driver/Check Point Software Technologies LTD) ZwLoadKey [0xF4500F10]
SSDT \SystemRoot\System32\vsdatant.sys (TrueVector Device Driver/Check Point Software Technologies LTD) ZwLoadKey2 [0xF4500F90]
SSDT \SystemRoot\System32\vsdatant.sys (TrueVector Device Driver/Check Point Software Technologies LTD) ZwOpenFile [0xF44E6070]
SSDT \SystemRoot\System32\Drivers\aswSP.SYS (avast! self protection module/ALWIL Software) ZwOpenKey [0xF430364E]
SSDT \SystemRoot\System32\vsdatant.sys (TrueVector Device Driver/Check Point Software Technologies LTD) ZwOpenProcess [0xF44FF180]
SSDT \SystemRoot\System32\vsdatant.sys (TrueVector Device Driver/Check Point Software Technologies LTD) ZwOpenThread [0xF44FEF40]
SSDT \SystemRoot\System32\Drivers\aswSP.SYS (avast! self protection module/ALWIL Software) ZwQueryValueKey [0xF430376E]
SSDT \SystemRoot\System32\vsdatant.sys (TrueVector Device Driver/Check Point Software Technologies LTD) ZwRenameKey [0xF45016F0]
SSDT \SystemRoot\System32\vsdatant.sys (TrueVector Device Driver/Check Point Software Technologies LTD) ZwReplaceKey [0xF4501150]
SSDT \SystemRoot\System32\vsdatant.sys (TrueVector Device Driver/Check Point Software Technologies LTD) ZwRequestWaitReplyPort [0xF44E8BE0]
SSDT \SystemRoot\System32\Drivers\aswSP.SYS (avast! self protection module/ALWIL Software) ZwRestoreKey [0xF430372E]
SSDT \SystemRoot\System32\vsdatant.sys (TrueVector Device Driver/Check Point Software Technologies LTD) ZwSecureConnectPort [0xF44E9190]
SSDT \SystemRoot\System32\vsdatant.sys (TrueVector Device Driver/Check Point Software Technologies LTD) ZwSetInformationFile [0xF44E6440]
SSDT \SystemRoot\System32\Drivers\aswSP.SYS (avast! self protection module/ALWIL Software) ZwSetValueKey [0xF43038AE]
SSDT \SystemRoot\System32\vsdatant.sys (TrueVector Device Driver/Check Point Software Technologies LTD) ZwSystemDebugControl [0xF44FE200]
SSDT \SystemRoot\System32\vsdatant.sys (TrueVector Device Driver/Check Point Software Technologies LTD) ZwTerminateProcess [0xF44FE080]

---- Devices - GMER 1.0.15 ----

AttachedDevice \FileSystem\Ntfs \Ntfs aswMon2.SYS (avast! File System Filter Driver for Windows XP/ALWIL Software)

Device \Driver\Tcpip \Device\Ip vsdatant.sys (TrueVector Device Driver/Check Point Software Technologies LTD)

AttachedDevice \Driver\Tcpip \Device\Ip aswTdi.SYS (avast! TDI Filter Driver/ALWIL Software)

Device \Driver\Tcpip \Device\Tcp vsdatant.sys (TrueVector Device Driver/Check Point Software Technologies LTD)

AttachedDevice \Driver\Tcpip \Device\Tcp aswTdi.SYS (avast! TDI Filter Driver/ALWIL Software)

Device \Driver\Tcpip \Device\Udp vsdatant.sys (TrueVector Device Driver/Check Point Software Technologies LTD)

AttachedDevice \Driver\Tcpip \Device\Udp aswTdi.SYS (avast! TDI Filter Driver/ALWIL Software)

Device \Driver\Tcpip \Device\RawIp vsdatant.sys (TrueVector Device Driver/Check Point Software Technologies LTD)

AttachedDevice \Driver\Tcpip \Device\RawIp aswTdi.SYS (avast! TDI Filter Driver/ALWIL Software)

Device \Driver\Tcpip \Device\IPMULTICAST vsdatant.sys (TrueVector Device Driver/Check Point Software Technologies LTD)

AttachedDevice \FileSystem\Fastfat \Fat fltmgr.sys (Microsoft Filesystem Filter Manager/Microsoft Corporation)
AttachedDevice \FileSystem\Fastfat \Fat aswMon2.SYS (avast! File System Filter Driver for Windows XP/ALWIL Software)

Device \FileSystem\Cdfs \Cdfs F130C400

---- Files - GMER 1.0.15 ----

File C:\WINDOWS\assembly\GAC\System.Security\1.0.5000.0__b03f5f7f11d50a3a 0 bytes
File C:\WINDOWS\assembly\GAC\System.Security\1.0.5000.0__b03f5f7f11d50a3a\System.Security.dll 77824 bytes executable
File C:\WINDOWS\assembly\GAC\System.Security\1.0.5000.0__b03f5f7f11d50a3a\__AssemblyInfo__.ini 284 bytes
File C:\WINDOWS\assembly\GAC\vjswfccw\1.0.5000.0__b03f5f7f11d50a3a 0 bytes
File C:\WINDOWS\assembly\GAC\vjswfccw\1.0.5000.0__b03f5f7f11d50a3a\vjswfccw.dll 189952 bytes executable
File C:\WINDOWS\assembly\GAC\vjswfccw\1.0.5000.0__b03f5f7f11d50a3a\__AssemblyInfo__.ini 199 bytes
File C:\WINDOWS\assembly\temp\5BHMSY39EK\System.Windows.Forms.dll 3014656 bytes executable
File C:\WINDOWS\assembly\temp\5BHMSY39EK\__AssemblyInfo__.ini 90 bytes

---- EOF - GMER 1.0.15 ----

I completely admire your tenacity!

Is that what they call it these days!

Still not seeing a great deal, which is good news in a way.

There is a chance it is more a hardware problem, unfortunately you might need a general tech forum for help there.

Couple of questions, has the computer been getting gradually slower or was it like an overnight thing? Does anything jump out at you, like when it started? Did you install or download anything?

Also you mentioned a HP error that you were getting. Are you still getting it? Do you actually use a HP printer or a Lexmark one?

Kaspersky would have shown infection if we had missed something major….

The problem has been more gradual than anything. I thought it was caused by an excessive amount of photos from my wife's camera downloads that took up a boat load of hard drive space. However, we dumped the pics to CD's and did a defrag which also helped, but didn't really fix it. That's why I posted originally on here. The fixes that you suggested really made a big difference...especially cracking open the case and taking the vacuum to it. But still have the delay in bringing up programs.
The HP error is no longer there. As far as the printers, we have a HP photo printer and a Lexmark that came with the PC that is also a scanner, so we keep it hooked up too. I've looked into upgrading the RAM and can get 1 gig for about $50...so I may try that.

Thanks for the assistance. I'll get the RAM sometime and if I have any further issues, I can post to a general tech forum

Hopefully the Ram will make a difference, these days most techies seem to recommend at least a gig. Although it can sound scary a format and re-install can also be a good thing, cleans all the unwanted junk collected over the years. ( not necessarily malware)

Update Adobe Reader
Recently there have been vunerabilities detected in older versions of Adobe Reader. It is strongly suggested that you update to the current version. Adobe Reader 9.
You can download it from http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep2.html
After installing the latest Adobe Reader, uninstall all previous versions.
If you already have Adobe Photoshop® Album Starter Edition installed or do not wish to have it installed UNcheck the box which says Also Download Adobe Photoshop® Album Starter Edition.

Below is a general all clean I would give.

MBAM is a great tool for you to keep and use on a regular basis.


You can delete RSIT from your Desktop and it associated folder C:\RSIT, also Gmer and Security Application check


Make your Internet Explorer more secure - This can be done by following these simple instructions:

• From within Internet Explorer click on the Tools menu and then click on Options.
• Click once on the Security tab
• Click once on the Internet icon so it becomes highlighted.
• Click once on the Custom Level button.
  
  • Change the Download signed ActiveX controls to Prompt
  • Change the Download unsigned ActiveX controls to Disable
  • Change the Initialise and script ActiveX controls not marked as safe to Disable
  • Change the Installation of desktop items to Prompt
  • Change the Launching programs and files in an IFRAME to Prompt
  • Change the Navigate sub-frames across different domains to Prompt
  • When all these settings have been made, click on the OK button.
  • If it prompts you as to whether or not you want to save the settings, press the Yes button.

Here are some free programs I recommend that could help you improve your computer's security.

Update your Antivirus programs and other security products regularly to avoid new threats that could infect your system. If you do not update your anti virus software then it will not be able to catch any of the new variants that may come out.

You can use one of these sites to check if any updates are needed for your pc.
Secunia Software Inspector
F-secure Health Check

Install WinPatrol
Download it from here
Here you can find information about how WinPatrol works here

Install MVPS Hosts File from here
The MVPS Hosts file replaces your current HOSTS file with one containing well know ad sites etc. Basically, this prevents your computer from connecting to those sites by redirecting them to 127.0.0.1 which is your local computer.
Find Tutorial here : http://www.mvps.org/winhelp2002/hosts.htm

Read some information here how to prevent Malware.


Please reply if you have any problems or questions

Happy Safe Surfing

As this issue appears to be resolved,